The 12 Days of Cachemas (TDOC23) is a series of 78 caches, events and adventure labs placed across Victoria to celebrate Cachemas in July in 2023. The series is a joint initiative of Geocaching Victoria and the local community to release caches in a different category each day across the state. We hope you have as much fun finding this series, as we had placing them. Now on to the cache.
On the tenth day of Cachemas, Signal gave to me,
ten mysteries solving,
nine letters boxing,
eight gadgets tricking,
seven TOTTs a-needing,
six events meeting,
five adventure labs,
four active CITOs,
three quirky challenges,
two earthcaches
and a wherigo up in a tree.
The Puzzle
The cache is not at the posted coordinates, no matter how appropriate they may be.
Signal has been helping to organise the Cachemas celebrations and has been methodically and logically preparing a number of event plans. With so much going on, he accidently misplaced an important present while traveling around. Can you help him locate it?
The last time Signal remembers seeing the present was near the posted coordinates, so he is trying to retrace his steps. Unfortunately he is so stressed about the unfinished event plans he can't concentrate. Can you help Signal finish the Cachemas preparations below so that he can focus on locating the lost present?
Plan 1: Attendee Gifts
Signal was responsible for ensuring every Cachemas attendee had a gift placed at their Cachemas tree. Every attendee should have a present placed adjacent to their tree, either horizontally or vertically. A present is paired to one tree only, even if there are other trees close by. No two presents are allowed to touch (including diagonally). Signal had started the plan by marking the first present, and indicating the number of presents in each row and column. Can you complete the plan?
A = The total of the row positions for all of the presents in the first column (ie if there were presents in rows 5 and 7, 5+7 = 12)
B = The total of the row positions for all of the presents in the last column
Plan 2: Reindeer Stable
Signal was also looking after the Reindeer Stables. All of the fencing for each of the pens has already been installed. Each pen has only one reindeer in it. The optimal design is that every Reindeer can find a spot within their pen such that they are not immediately next to a Reindeer from another pen in any direction (horionally, vertically and diagonally). Can you check that the plan works and identify where each Reindeer can rest without being annoyed by the others. To help, there should only be one reindeer in each column and row.
C = The Row number for the Reindeer in Column 2
D = The Row number for the Reindeer in Column 5
Plan 3: Gift Wrapping
Signal has a box of toys that need to be wrapped. Each present will be made up of two toys that are adjacent to each other (horizontally or vertically). Every present combination must be different - no toy combination is repeated. Two of the same toy can be combined together (however per the previous rule this can only happen once per toy type). Can you identify the present combinations?
E = The number of presents where both parts are contained in the first column.
F = The number of presents where both parts are contained in the last column.
Plan 4: Wall Art
Signal was working on a very artistic Cachemas wall art for the event. He was very specific about the Feng Shui the art piece would create and therefore was pedantic about the lay out. The wall art consists of only two objects, wreaths and bells, and Signal has made a start on the plan. Every row and column is required to have 4 of each item in it. No more than two of the same object can be repeated in a row or column. To ensure the artistic flair, no two rows can be the same. Equally no two columns can be the same. Help Signal finish the Wall Art.
G = The number of wreaths in the first five rows of Column 7
H = The number of bells in the first five rows of Column 8
Plan 5: Seating Chart
Signal had been agonising over the seating plan. Who sits where? Who can and can't sit next to each other? This is why he has left this one till last. The available furniture is listed to the right of the plan. Can you fit all of the furniture into the plan, such that no two tables are touching in any direction (including diagonally). Tables can be placed vertically and horizonatally to help you fit them into the space. The number of table sections in each column and row has been listed across the top and left to assist you. Can you finish the seating plan?
I = The number of seats in Column 6
J = The number of seats in Column 8
Find The Missing Present
It sure takes a lot of work to pull all of these plans together, no wonder Signal was stressed. Now that the plans are complete, can you use the information above to help you find the location of the missing present.
KLMNO = (A x C x E x F x G x I) - 2854
PQRST = (B x D x E x F x H x J) - 5617
Project a waypoint from the posted coordinates
- KLMN.O metres
- PQR.ST degrees
Good luck with finding the missing present.
You are looking for an Ammo Can at GZ. Please ensure it is well hidden to avoid it being muggled.